Deadlines:
University of Graz: 15 April 2018 (for non-EU applicants) & 01 June 2018 (for EU applicants)
University of Belgrade: 01 June 2018 (for all applicants)

The University of Graz and the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Political Sciences (FPS) are pleased to announce the call for applications for the academic year 2018/2019 for the Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in Southeast European Studies (www.seestudies.eu & http://www.jointdegree.eu/en/masees/)

This two year MA program is conducted in English as a joint degree between our universities. The seventh generation commences in October 2018.

Students enroll in and spend the first year at the chosen home university (Graz or Belgrade). In the second year, students spend at least one semester on mobility at a partner university. The list of partner universities includes:

Babes-Bolyai University from Cluj-Napoca (Romania).
Central European University (Hungary)
South East European University, Tetovo (Macedonia)
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje (Macedonia)
University of Bologna (Italy)
University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)
University of Novi Sad (Serbia)
University of Regensburg (Germany)
University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
University of Zagreb (Croatia)

Students from Graz can also spend their mobility semester in Belgrade and those from Belgrade in Graz.

Why Southeast European Studies in Graz?

Southeast Europe has been a focus of the University of Graz for over a century. The noble prize winner Ivo Andrić wrote his PhD in Graz and many scholars and prominent intellectuals from the region have studied here. Since the early 1990s thousands of students from across the Balkans have decided to study at the University of Graz and it is today normal to hear Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian and Albanian in addition to German and English in the hallways of the university. Only two hours from Ljubljana and Zagreb by car, the city is close to Southeast Europe and the dense ties to the region are tangible throughout the city, from the cultural life to the social scene.

Over the past decades, the University has had a strong academic interest in the history of Southeast Europe, in particular historical anthropology. Various exchange programs, teaching, research and public events on the region have a long tradition. The Centre for Southeastern European Studies is not only coordinating the Master’s Programme, but also hosts regular public events, workshops, conferences and conducts research on Southeast Europe. There are two other degree programs focused on Southeast Europe, an MA programme in the History of Southeastern Europe and a European Regional Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democracy in South East Europe. Students are thus not just offered an MA programme in Southeast Europe, but are part of a vibrant community of scholars and students interested in, and from, Southeast Europe.

First of all, you will be studying Southeast Europe in its very centre. In this way, you will be able not only to better understand your chosen field of interest, but also to learn one or more languages of the region. Secondly, you will profit learning from a group of outstanding FPS and foreign professors, with excellent academic records and long-time expertise in Southeast Europe. Last but not least, as part of an academic community with strong international character, you’ll enjoy the exciting social life in Belgrade, too.
Check some impressions of our previous generation of students: http://www.seestudies.eu/node/48.

During two semesters in Belgrade you will also be able to get involved in the work of the FPS Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Balkans (CisBalk). As an extension of the Master Program and a focus point of cooperation of Serbian and international experts dealing with Southeast Europe, the Centre offers ample possibilities for engagement in research projects, workshops and numerous public events it organizes.

Content of the Programme

The Interdisciplinary Joint Master in Southeast European Studies is an international and interdisciplinary programme in social sciences and humanities of the highest quality which enables participants to effectively understand the interrelationship between law, politics, economics and culture with an emphasis on Southeast Europe. The programme prepares students for doctoral studies and professional life in a variety of other fields including work in international, local governmental and non-governmental organizations, journalism, business, scientific research and consultancy.

In the first year students take core courses which include an introduction to multidisciplinary approaches in the study of Southeast Europe, public law, political science, history, economics and cultural studies. In the summer after the first year, a joint summer school is held in Hvar, Croatia, for all students from the participating universities to complete the compulsory core modules. In the second year, students attend one of the partner universities and specialize in their desired field. There are also optional provisions in place to offer students professional trainings and internship positions. In the final semester students write a master thesis reflecting their capacity to work on a scientific subject independently.

All compulsory courses are conducted in English, but students are able to take classes in other languages. Language acquisition is an important key aspect of the joint degree and students are expected to learn a regional language and/or the predominant language of their mobility institution.

Academic Degree

Students completing the Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in Southeast European Studies earn the degree “Master of Arts”, abbreviated MA.

Admission

The Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in Southeast European Studies welcomes applicants who hold an academic degree of at least 180 ECTS credits (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), who can demonstrate their basic knowledge of social sciences or humanities – law, political, social, cultural or economic sciences – and who have general insight and interest in Southeastern Europe.

The APPLICATION should consist of:

1. completed online application form
2. at least one letter of recommendation (preferably from a university professor or employer, in English)
3. certificate/diploma obtained at the undergraduate level (for Graz: translated into English or German; for Belgrade: translated into English if it is not in Serbian)
4. transcript of records obtained at the undergraduate level (for Graz: translated into English or German; for Belgrade: translated into English if it is not in Serbian)
5. letter of motivation (English)
6. curriculum vitae (English)
7. proof of proficiency in English language: IELTS (required minimum score: 6.0), a TOEFL (required minimum score: 210 on the computerised test, 547 on the paper based test, 78 on the internet based test), a Cambridge Exam (required level: FCE) or an equivalent certificate. Students who have completed their BA in English are not required to provide this proof of proficiency but may be interviewed.

Tuition fees are waived for Austrian/EU students. Tuition costs approximately €745 per semester for citizens of other states but can usually be fully refunded upon successful completion of each semester for citizens of Albania, Belarus Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

For enquiries about the admission procedure, tuition fees and refund process at the University of Graz please contact Ulrike Krawagna, ulrike.krawagna@uni-graz.at at the Office for International Relations. Please note that the University of Graz does not provide financial support – no scholarships are currently available but we encourage students to seek available funding from third parties.

However, a limited number of student research assistantships will be available at the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz. Candidates, who wish to be considered for these, must apply by 15 April 2018 and in addition to all application material outlined before, ad a writing sample (BA thesis, report, blog post, etc.) to their application.

All candidates are encouraged to apply early as the programme has a rolling acceptance scheme and we only have limited capacity of student intake.

€3,900 EUR (or equivalent value in Serbian dinars), including ALL costs of a four-semester studying, costs of recognition of foreign BA degrees and the ten-day Summer School at the island of Hvar, Croatia (full board and transportation) – payable in ten installments – for citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

€4,900 EUR (or equivalent value in Serbian dinars), including ALL costs of a four-semester studying, costs of recognition of foreign BA degrees and the ten-day Summer School at the island of Hvar, Croatia (full board and transportation) – payable in ten installments – for citizens of all other countries.

Upon applying online via the platform, please also send the printed application form with all supporting documents by registered mail to Gordana Ristic, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Political Sciences, Jove Ilica 165, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Certified translation of diploma and transcript of records into Serbian shall be required additionally.

Candidates are encouraged to apply early as the programme has a rolling acceptance scheme and we only have limited capacity of student intake.